Council shames Laguna

OK, now, let’s all sing along: “Happy birthday, Ms. Kinsman, happy birthday to you.”

Some people oppose the MTV show “Laguna Beach.” Are you kidding? It’s perfect for this town. In fact, our Laguna Beach City Council should have its own reality show titled, “What’s Gone Wrong with Laguna Beach,” or “My Birthday Is More Important Than Yours.”

It’s embarrassing that on Dec. 1, “World AIDS Day,” given the history of Laguna Beach and its people, we were not flying the color black because of one insensitive person and our City Council.

It isn’t enough that the rest of the country did. Again -- Laguna Beach did not.

I feel that we owe the poor families who have lost loved ones to this tragic disease a written apology. I cannot believe how pretentious this town has become. Let me rephrase that, because it is not our town making these ridiculous decisions -- it’s people who only care about themselves.It’s unbelievable that one person could have the audacity to put her birthday before all of the lives that have been lost by the AIDS epidemic.

What’s even more embarrassing -- if that is possible -- is that the four other members of the City Council let her get away with it.

What does this say about the rest of our council?

Why do we blame MTV for show?

Why do we blame the Montage for building their resort?

Why do we continue to put the blame where it doesn’t belong?

If there is blame in any of this, it begins and ends with our City Council, does it not?

What good is it to be angry at the aftermath of these projects when there are people whose decisions on our behalf enabled these projects to proceed? If you want to continue to be upset, be upset at yourselves for not speaking up soon enough and taking your fight to the council.

Although I know that many of you did, sadly it was not enough.

I mean, why don’t we just make Kinsman’s birthday a federal holiday?

In a letter I read last week, someone stated their concern that, because of the MTV show, it’s possible that Laguna Beach could become a terrorist target.

Maybe, but not for the reasons stated.

Peace. 20051202iqe5k5kn(LA)